The free-to-air (FTA) channel is available only on cable TV platforms in the state including the big daddy GTPL Hathway. It is not yet available on the direct-to-home (DTH) platforms.

An industry source said that cable TV is very strong in Gujarat with 75% penetration, while DTH has only 25% penetration.

Speaking at the launch, ABP News Network CEO Ashok Venkatramani said that the new channel would also cater to Gujaratis living outside Gujarat and India.

The channel will have a news reporter in each of the state’s 33 districts. The company had imparted six months’ training to its editorial staff including anchors, reporters and producers prior to the launch.

The channel will highlight locally relevant issues from across the state besides covering sports, entertainment and business news.

This is the first channel launch post Star’s exit from the company, which was earlier known as Media Content & Communications System. The last channel launch by the company happened back in 2007 with Marathi news channel ABP Majha.

The network had plans to launch a Punjabi news channel named ABP Sanjha, but the channel was shelved after the company failed to procure distribution from the state’s leading MSO Fastway Transmission, which is believed to be owned by the state’s politically influential Badal family. The PTC Network is also owned by the Badals.